as in partial
inclined to favor one side over another
a shamelessly partisan reporter covering the primary campaign
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also partizan
1
as in adherent
one who follows the opinions or teachings of another
partisans of the charismatic leader refuse to tolerate any criticism of him at all
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crusader
one who is intensely or excessively devoted to a cause
a partisan of the revolution who was even willing to give her life for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sectarian
one who stubbornly or intolerantly adheres to his or her own opinions and prejudices
she's too much of a political partisan to ever concede that the other side might have a valid point
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of partisan
Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 June 2025
The election will determine the partisan balance of power and likely have significant policy ramifications on the county Board of Supervisors, which is split 2-2 between Democrats and Republicans.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025
Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 4 June 2025
Like many Western institutions, the Pulitzers have grown lazy, complacent, and partisan.
—Becket Adams, National Review, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for partisan
Adjective
Confidence surveys also increasingly reflected partisan differences more than the actual economy.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 June 2025
The election will determine the partisan balance of power and likely have significant policy ramifications on the county Board of Supervisors, which is split 2-2 between Democrats and Republicans.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025
Noun
Still, despite all that, 4,000 stiff-upper-lipped partisans showed up in Anaheim, California, over the weekend, seeking solace, inspiration and a winning way forward.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 4 June 2025
Like many Western institutions, the Pulitzers have grown lazy, complacent, and partisan.
—Becket Adams, National Review, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for partisan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for partisan
Adjective
-
While a partial Trump win on nationwide injunctions, challenges can continue.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
27 June 2025
-
This is why President Trump’s reaction to the commitment by NATO members at their recent summit to more than double their defense-spending target is welcome, even if a partial opt-out for Spain is not.—
The Editors,
National Review,
27 June 2025
Noun
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According to tradition, the incumbent chooses his successor, and is then — so adherents believe — reincarnated in that person’s body.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
3 July 2025
-
This trails both Muslims and Hindus, who each retain 99 percent of their adherents from childhood.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
Noun
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Anti-pornography crusaders are on a winning streak.—
Pilar Melendez,
NBC news,
22 June 2025
-
Created in the 12th century by the Knights of St. John, the celebrated Krak is considered the epitome of a crusader castle in the Middle East and one of the greatest statements of medieval military architecture.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
People want to get rid of religious parties, people want to put sectarians behind to build an Iraq for all Iraqis.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
22 May 2015
-
Both sides insist the other initiated the initial volley of gunfire that killed four agents and six sectarians.—
Joshua Alston,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2023
Adjective
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Guzman’s book was used as a common reader by several universities in 2024, reflecting ongoing concerns about the often hostile, partisan gaps that have roiled many campuses in recent years.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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In the five years since the events of Jurassic World Dominion, many of the dinosaurs and other formerly extinct creatures that were set free into the world have died off, unable to survive in the modern climate and otherwise hostile environments.—
Maureen Lee Lenker Published,
EW.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
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The actress, who is on vacation in Sardinia, has delighted her 571K followers on Instagram by proudly displaying her collection of bikinis while beating the heat with pals.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2025
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In Instagram comments, Wales Bonner invited followers to sign up for the newsletter on walesbonner.com for further updates.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
5 July 2025
Noun
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In the 1960s, Canada’s nationalists feared America’s power—its military strength, yes, but also its cultural cohesion—and wanted to form a corresponding Canadian identity.—
Stephen Marche,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2025
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Hegseth’s membership in a church that belongs to the CREC drew attention because prominent members of the church identify as Christian nationalists, and because of its positions on issues concerning gender, sexuality and the separation of church and state.—
Samuel Perry,
The Conversation,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Humans are better than computers at deciphering letters and words; early CAPTCHAs displayed an image of distorted text, which the viewer had to type correctly to proceed.—
Alan Burdick,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
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For me, balancing family and the creative lifestyle and more, time is definitely about distorted moments.—
Roberta Naas,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Partisan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/partisan. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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